The Love Bombing of Gloria Choi | Full Episode

Gloria Choi reported a clear pattern of escalating domestic violence and stalking by Billy Rickman in the days leading up to her murder. This included Rickman violating a no-contact order, sending threatening emails, confronting her in public, stealing her property, and repeatedly slashing her and her friend's vehicle tires. Despite four separate calls to law enforcement within 48 hours, police allegedly failed to take decisive action, such as arresting Rickman or issuing a 'be on the lookout' alert.

Gloria made four calls to 911 in the 48 hours before her death (00:01:08, 00:22:47). She provided police with a detailed seven-page document outlining Rickman's violations, including emails, calls, and surveillance footage stills (00:38:12). Police left Rickman a voicemail instead of actively searching for him (00:36:50), and claimed surveillance video of him slashing tires was not clear enough for an arrest (00:24:27, 00:25:10).

Billy Rickman initiated his relationship with Gloria Choi through 'love bombing,' a manipulative tactic where he showered her with attention, gifts, and affection. This initial charm quickly gave way to a pattern of control, financial exploitation, substance abuse, and physical violence, demonstrating how 'love bombing' can be a precursor to severe domestic abuse.

Rickman introduced himself to Gloria, calling her 'very pretty' (00:11:53). He 'love-bombed' her, giving her gifts and showering her with kindness (00:12:27). Within weeks, he became financially dependent, refusing to work and draining her money (00:14:46). He became mean, angry, insecure, and physically abusive, pushing and throwing her around (00:14:56, 00:15:22).

An expert witness, a retired law enforcement officer and domestic violence instructor, testified that the officers involved in Gloria's case received proper training but failed to apply it. Specific failures included leaving a voicemail for a domestic violence perpetrator, which can escalate danger, and not issuing a 'be on the lookout' (BOLO) for Rickman's vehicle despite a detailed description.

Russ Hicks, a retired law enforcement officer and lead instructor for domestic violence, stated he taught the three officers involved in the case (00:36:24). He criticized leaving a voicemail for Rickman, saying it 'conveys a message that we're not taking this seriously' and escalates danger (00:36:58). He also noted the failure to send out a BOLO for Rickman's distinct vehicle (00:37:56).

Gloria Choi's family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the city of Lakewood and its police department, arguing that Gloria's death was 'incredibly foreseeable' and preventable. This lawsuit directly challenges the city's legal argument that police have no obligation to arrest someone like Rickman if he is not at the scene, even when there is clear evidence of ongoing and escalating threats.

Meaghan Driscoll, the Choi family's lawyer, filed a wrongful death suit on behalf of Gloria's son (00:34:53). She stated, 'This death was incredibly foreseeable... it was as foreseeable as it was preventable' (00:35:41). The city's lawyer argued that police have 'no obligation to go and arrest someone like Rickman if he is not at the scene' (00:38:45).